I promised you “a surprise” in my last post (about a hundred years ago, oh my goodness, I’m so late)! MUSICA (nice old Frank)🎶 I don’t usually start things off with a photo of me, but I had to make an exception to add oomph to my explanation for why I’ve been away so long! In the photo, I’m dressed and on my way to give a talk at Island Writes, but you may notice something not quite right.
Yeah, why is she wearing that black glove? What an odd-looking glove. Hey, that’s not a glove! No. It. Is. Not. It is a (stupid) cast for a broken wrist. A broken right wrist. The hand that does everything. So anyway, I broke it a little over a month ago while packing up things for the yard sale. Tripped over bags, hand-to-floor, caught myself, the end. Which also ended the infamous yard sale for this year. Ended almost everything, because I had no idea what all this hand 
did until I lost it. Besides typing, writing, and painting, it opens cat food cans, washes hair, signs books, holds a freaking fork, puts on earrings, uses scissors, deadheads roses, DRIVES, and chops onions. Hello. At first I couldn’t do any of it, I gave my brain a new kind of workout by practicing writing with my left hand, but one-by-one I’ve been getting things back. And Look Ma, I’m typing! I think I MIGHT get the brace off Sept. 14, my Doctor keeps little secrets to himself, I’ve learned, but I am hoping! It wasn’t a bad break, no surgery; I glowed like a 7 year old when he called me a “good patient.” It’s the little things in life. Yes, physical therapy will follow, but I’ve been doing exercises to keep my arms strong, so I hope normalcy returns soon. Thank goodness for Joe! He’s been taking such good care of me!
But I promised you surprises, and you’re going to get surprises! 🌸 Our Courage Charm has arrived . . . isn’t it wonderful? Gold with a streak of pink that goes all the way around. Pink, the color of nurturing, for yourself, and for others. The color of love.💝
It comes on its own little card . . . the charm is engraved with the words “Courage, Dear Heart . . .”💞
Thought you’d like to see my bracelet . . . I think I have them all so far!
And this? This is not for sale! This surprise of all four-seasons of my cups (which are all sold-out and no longer available anywhere on earth), is for the lucky person whose name gets drawn by Vanna in the next post! I told you I would have surprises! Just leave a comment, and you’ll be entered! It can be for you, or maybe you’ll want to take it apart and make four Christmas 🎄 presents out of it! Leave a comment!’Tis almost the season! Here comes
And this? This is for everyone! A brand new bookmark for all my Anglophile, Corgie-adoring, Queen-admiring girlfriends and the people they love! Just click HERE, print it on card-stock, have it laminated if you like . . . it makes a very sweet stocking stuffer or book-gift accountrement.(In case you’re new here, the bookmark is tucked into a copy of my book A Fine Romance, Falling in Love with the English Countryside.)
And what else? Oh yes, for everyone that preordered and waited so patiently, I’m thrilled to tell you the new cups are scheduled to arrive in California TOMORROW, on Thursday! And yes, I ordered extra so we would have some to last through Christmas, just in cases.
The heart cup is another Courage item. The world is so wild these days, we need as much of this as we can get. And there’s another secret about this cup . . .💞
I didn’t design it! I designed a red cup with hearts on it which Joe thought was a little boring, and said, “Why don’t 
you make it look like champagne?” I said, naturally, “What are you talking about?” He tried to tell me, but I couldn’t picture it, was running out to lunch with girlfriends, and said, willy-nilly, over my shoulder, “Draw me a picture!” Because I know Joe is an artist even though he never does it. But I didn’t expect THIS. Champagne bubbles made into hearts. Of course I fell in love with it. My boy is a genius!
Very appropriately, this is Joe’s first cup ~ Champagne Hearts! He will very likely never do another one, not sure I can figure out how I tricked him into this one!🙃
I designed the bottom and the handle, so it was a group effort. From the Heart of our Home.💖 You’ll have them by the end of next week!👏
This one too! The Martha’s Vineyard cup, arriving at the Studio tomorrow, and in case you’re coming to the Island, it’s already available in the shop that carries my things here ~ which, by the way, has changed their name to Vineyard Arts Gallery, it’s still in the same place in downtown Vineyard Haven, and Robin still runs it. And one more by-the-way . . . another reason for you to leave a comment ➡️ Yes! I’ll be sending some lucky person their very own Martha’s Vineyard cup too! It’s an Autumn extravaganza!
This too! Leave a comment to win this Pumpkinhead cup! So far that makes three lucky winners and you only need to leave one comment to be entered for everything! Why you may ask? Because I can! (Writing now, from day after I published this post: Reading the lovely comments ~ can’t answer so many with bad hand, but reading 🤗, loving, sometimes tears, THANK YOU.💞 This is why. We are the world!) I detect a need for cheer and doing my best in this little world of ours, to make some of it for my Girlfriends! And, to make it more fun, the winner of this Pumpkinhead cup will also get a box of my Inspiration Notecards.
Hope you love them!
Jack also wanted me to let you know, in his own unique way (by draping himself on the thing I’m trying to photograph), that the 2020 calendars have arrived! If you preordered, you should have them!
Other good news, our teapot plates are back in stock! We’ve gotten lots of requests ~ sooo happy they’re finally here!
Great for holiday cookies, as a little serving dish and. . .
also looks great hanging on a wall!
And brand NEW, two night lights!
Blue dots on a scalloped porcelain shade!
And little flowers too!
You can read about them HERE.
I have soooo much more to tell you, but this is my first day back at typing and I’ve just been made a wee bit painfully aware, it’s time to stop! I’m only half done! Wah! Guess I will join Jack doing what we do best!
Still eating yummy whole food!
Have devolved to one-finger typing, left-hand ~ but one last thing, I’m reading this helpful book I think you might like.
Interesting book that reminds us of our lovely humanity . . .
We need to remember in our crazy world . . . also, from me to you💞, want to remind:
Don’t forget to leave a comment (one word is fine!) to be entered for Surprise GiveAways! And sign up HERE to have this blog delivered to your email box!
Saw this post late, but here I am! Looking forward to putting up my 2020 “England” calendar! So sorry for your injury, hopes for a quick recovery!
You broke your arm and my grandson broke his arm (2 bones for him) the week before school started. Poor babies (both of you). I broke mine a few years back and it’s amazing what you cannot do, for example, you cannot operate a coffee grinder – takes one hand to hold it and the other to click shut the lid. Simple things we take for granted, such as styling hair with the blow dryer – one to hold the dryer and the other to hold the brush. I had to get a new haircut to get me through it. Hope you heal soon and are back to normal. My dear friend has had 3 biopsies in the last few wks – brain, lung, and kidney (2 were positive for cancer!!) so I think she will need the Take Courage Dear Heart bead from me.
Sorry about your wrist. I love all your things.
Oh, I hope you are mending nicely….so sorry to read of your injury. How nice of you to be offering these treats! I was given the Martha’s Vineyard mug as a gift and love it…so comfortable to hold and perfect for my morning coffee. I love the design of them all, so would be delighted to be a winner. Happy autumn!
I am so sorry to hear about your wrist. Hoping for a speedy and full recovery. I would be so lucky to win any of your beautiful mugs!
I love all your blogs. I have all of your books
I hope your wrist is healing!
God bless Joe and his artistic talent. Th design is beautiful!
Happy September! Gooooooooooooo Vanna! ❤️
So sorry to hear about your wrist! Hopefully you’ll get the all clear just as cozy weather sweeps in!
Feel better soon!! I fell an broke my arm last August! It was certainly not fun! Mine is good as new…your wrist will be,too. Take care❣️
Vanna, This is embarassing, but if you pick my name I am not sharing…going to keep all four cups!!!!
Hope you are fully recovered soon and back to your painting desk! Looks like Joe is giving you a little competition:)
So sorry to hear of your fall. Hopefully, your cast will be off soon. Thank you for yet another beautiful and inspirational post.
Glad to get a new post. So sorry about your hand. I pray it heals quickly. I plan to venture to Martha’s Vineyard one day. My husband and I want to have an adventure driving the east coast. We may start in Georgia but we definitely plan to go all the way to Maine. We hope for this fall but it may have to wait until next fall.
I am in the middle of a very stressful move – time to sell the home in which we raised our children. I have moved many times in my life but now everything that I used to do with ease seems to be stressful, emotional, and overwhelming. What a joy it is to read and re-read your blog, it definitely has a calming and cheering effect on me. Thanks!
Such a sweet treat to see your post pop up. It was a nice break to sit, read and listen to good music. Sorry to read about your wrist, sending the best healing wishes. Thoughts of silence were a good read.
So sorry about your hand! Love all the cups.
The book you recommend looks perfect and inviting as I sometimes wonder if even my cat is feeling neglected by how much screen time a smartphone and laptop can devour. I hope you heal quickly and so love your blog posts and artwork.
Can’t wait for the next set of cups to arrive! Love them all. ❤️🎃🍁🍀🌚🍎🌺🎂
You light up my life with your blog! What a blessing you are and the joy you bring
makes my heart sing. Glad you are mending♥
Your blogs help me get excited about the season that is beginning. I wait to read them when I have time to sit and put my feet up and escape into your beautiful world on the Vineyard. Thanks for bringing simple joys and simple beauty to our lives. Your mugs are absolutely stunning. Praying your wrist heals completely.
So sorry to hear about your accident! I am very accident prone and can empathize. These things seem to happen in the blink of an eye. Hope you will heal just as quickly.
Hi Susan.
I was without my right hand earlier this year too. Wow! I sure do appreciate all it does for me now. Wishing you a speedy recovery so you can return to all the things you love.
❤️ Lisa from So Cal
thank you Susan for everything!
I hope you have a complete recovery of your wrist very soon!
Susan,
Your blogs always make me smile, especially with the dreamy music. Take care my friend!
Was hoping all was well with you as I kept checking for a new blog and knew it had been a long time. May you healing be thorough and complete. I would just simply adore winning one of your very special cups!
I adore the season mugs!
So sorry to hear about your wrist. But this was a great blog post…so much good to look at and read about!
Oh Susan, I’m so very sorry to learn of your broken wrist! I empathize completely! July 4th I fell at a friend’s swimming pool, whacked my head (once then bounced for a second good whack) on the concrete pool edge. Never knew how much a head can bleed. First ambulance ride, watched fireworks through the window in the ER, and the wound has healed, but the concussion remains with dizziness and fatigue. Women who like to control (not naming any names) aren’t the best patients, nor are we patient. (see what I did there?) Wishing you swift healing, no pain and full wrist range of motion when the cast is removed. XXOO
Diane Marie, your I-bumped-into-you-at-the-restaurant-in-Carpinteria-March-2017, friend.
My hubby did the broken wrist thing on his non-dominant hand, thankfully. He had to have surgery. The doctor didn’t come out to let me know and when I went back in the recovery room, there was the doctor on a gurney himself! He had just finished the surgery when he felt faint and nearly passed out. He was taken by ambulance to heart hospital. Turned out he was dehydrated. We had to wait for the ambulance to leave ourselves.
Take care, Deb
PS Waiting for fall. It’s 100 plus temps here in California.
PPS Empathy and compassion are needed for these rough times.
Hello Susan, Thank you for bringing a breath of fresh air to our lives! I love all that you do. I am in a ladies group called the The Divas. They each received a copy of Girlfriends Forever this past Christmas, a favorite of mine. It was a treasure hunt finding ten copies but I did! And a surprise treasure hunt occurred just last week when I was unpacking a box from a move 10 years ago and I found a passel of SB stickers! What joy! Hubby and I are scheduled to be in Boston Oct 4 – 12. I purposely allowed time for us to drive to your precious island. Can’t wait to explore Vineyards Arts Gallery!!! Sadly my remaining Susan Branch checks that I have been saving for special occasions accidentally got destroyed. Please issue new ones!!! God bless you and heal quickly!
Thank you soooo much for your positivity. (Is that a word? Well, it is now if it wasn’t.) My husband passed away two years ago after a painful struggle with pancreatitis. Forty years. I miss him terribly. But I went to see a Life Coach who reminded me that I used to know how to dance alone. I had to learn how to dance again. You play lovely music to dance to!
I always look forward to your E-Mail’s. Oh my gosh,those Tea Pot plates are adorable! Glad your on the mend.
Can’t wait to get my Champagne Hearts cup from the Apple Farm in SLO. Heal quickly, Susan!
Sending you positive vibes and good thoughts that you have a speedy recovery! Your blog lifts my spirits and I love that you love old movies!
I love surprises 🙂
You are an inspiration, Susan! Thank you, Joe for his special care of you. May you heal quickly! Godspeed!
My favorite word is “pumpkin.” You are a pumpkin or you are not. I am. (Harrison Salisbury). 🎃 I am and I love that pumpkinhead mug! And everything else too!
Heal soon! I’m rereading Fairytale Girl and then on to Isle of Dreams. I’ve moved since reading them the first time so I’ve had to buy them again. 🙂
Oh Susan, poor baby! (It’s a well-known medical fact that hearing repeated “poor babys” work wonders for the healing process.)
I tried to post a comment on the 28th, but it didn’t seem to go through, so here I go again…
I just located a copy of “Girlfriends Forever” which I gave to a very dear friend this past week for her birthday. We usually don’t do gifts, but she’s had a very intense couple of months. Her parents — in their 80s — were finally able to sell their condo in Florida and buy a place near her and her husband in San Antonio, so she was busy helping them with their Florida closing, final packing, and all that goes with it. Then, it was finding a home here (in Texas) and helping with that closing, etc. Now, it’s just getting their furniture and belongings delivered from Florida and the big move-in, with which I’ll be helping. Long story not-so-short, she needed a special treat, and you were it! She was thrilled with the book and says it’s her first Susan Branch book. (I got her hooked on your blog sometime ago.) Now, we’re both hoping you’ll do another book signing in Texas for your latest volume and we’ve both said we’ll go anywhere in the state to be there!
I hope you mend quickly, Susan. Here’s one last “poor baby” for the road!
Best wishes Susan for complete recovery of your wrist. I love the new cups, especially the Halloween one, in part b/c it suddenly feels like fall here in the Adirondacks…sweater day all day today.
Thank you for your blog! I enjoy it very much!
Dear Susan,
Your letters (blogs) are such a joy. I miss the weekly letters my mom always wrote and yours seem just as newsy, kind, and caring. It is like REAL mail in the mailbox!! Thanks for being you and sharing yourself with us all.
You just make me happy and I find joy in each day through the eyes of Susan Branch! Thank you for the joy you send through go email. I love all your mugs. I have the fall and winter. I use them year round. Keep on getting better every day!
Being as disciplined as you seem, will make you the prize patient for the physical therapist! Sorry you are having to experience this. Having your art on things we can enjoy each day is very special…lucky us.
Ohhh, So sorry about your accident and breaking your wrist! Ouch!! And your right hand, too! I know you knit, but do you crochet? When my dear Momma broke her wrist and got the cast off, she began a crochet project and the circular motion of crocheting was better therapy than the physical therapy they prescribed for her! She had full motion in no time!
Love your cups, BTW!
Take care,
Laura
Happy Labor Day weekend!
Sorry to hear about your wrist, hope you have a speedy recovery! Great blog as always! Enjoyed seeing all the new goodies! Take care of yourself, the world needs more people like you!
Hope you are feeling better soon! ❤️
Hi Susan! I hope your wrist heals up quick! Love the posts.
Prayers for a speedy recovery, Susan!
Always look forward to reading your blog. Peaceful and refreshing.
Love your letters! My favorite season is fall – lucky me – don’t have long to wait!♥️
Hi Susan
May the good LORD bless & keep you and give you peace, as you heal from your broken wrist! I really appreciate your willingness to shine light in a dark time!
Keep on shining, as you recover quickly,
Elaine
Hi Susan,
Get Well Soon. Must be really hard for you during this recovery time. Things will be back to normal before long. Love all your lovely cups and plates. The night lights are especially cute. I have some of your cards since 1999 and I do write on them to all my special ones. I believe in snail mail. Always nice to get a letter instead of bills.
Take Care of yourself and Be Safe.
Love all the new things but I most love the kinda old thing. Jack! He is such a charmer. I lost my best buddy tuxedo two years ago and miss him everyday. Seeing Jack reminds me of those white kitty feet. I have other cats but never be another buddy like him. I hope your wrist is feeling much better and I guess the old saying is true that we don’t know what we have till we don’t. Love your books and calendars. Have them all and given many. Nothing better. Take care!
Wishing you a speedy recovery across the way from Falmouth.
Hi Susan,
Sorry to hear about your wrist. Sounds like it’s healing well. Love the Halloween mug so cute. I also love the pics of Jack that you post. We have a black and white kitty, too, her name is Charlie. She has a mustache that reminded me of Charley Chaplin. 🙂
I hope you heal soon. What a fun and generous post. I have adored your recent Bella mug with the “darker than navy blue” night sky. I love to use it for unusual things like soup or late night cereal and milk (what a treat). It’s perfect.
PS: I love your twitter
Love tea, cozy life, England, and art! Thank you!
Hope your wrist heals speedily! You will need it to enjoy what I hope will be a lovely autumn.
What a looooovely post, although I am so sorry about your wrist. Thankful it is healing nicely! I absolutely love my Winter mug, but you and Jo may have stolen my heart with your collaborative stunner!❤️ Happy September from the Heartland!
The cup you and Joe did together is perfect.
I truly believe that healthy eating helps with healing, and you certainly eat healthy. Good for you!
Another beautiful post.
Waaah! I was just on Martha’s Vineyard, rented a bike (which I haven’t been on one in probably 20 years) and rode from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown and then had to get to Vineyard Haven to take a selfie in front of your house (but – really, no, I’m not a stalker. My housemate told me I should have knocked on your door and asked for some Ben Gay!) and barely made it back to Oak Bluffs to catch the ferry. 17 miles! But I didn’t know there was a gallery in VH with your artwork in it! Argh! Oh, well. I’ll be back in Mass. next May (live in Ohio now). Maybe I’ll make another trip there (sans bike rental. There must be an easier way 😀).
Hope your wrist heals soon 💕
Great bus system!!!
Looking forward to seeing the new calendars. The mugs are lovely!
Dear Susan,
Your post is just the perfect tonic for the end of summer time and the shift back inside from farm and river work to classroom prep and greeting young and happy eager learners. Thank you for the happy conversation.
I am sorry your wrist was broken and hope it is healing with each passing day.
Lots of love,
Kari
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!
Sounds like Colles’ fracture. Retired Occupational Therapist.
That’s it!
Sorry to hear about your accident…hurt wrist is never fun! However, know you are on the road to recovery and thank you for always bringing the happy gene our way. The book looks very interesting; now on my list. Happy Day to you and Joe and kitty.
Dear Susan,
Another note of sorrow for your misfortune and a wish for speedy recovery.
And a congratulations in advance to the lucky winners, what a great give away.
~v~
p.s. you look more fabulous! Your healthier whole food eating has served you well.
and your Joe did a beautiful cup design.
I hope are feeling better ! I missed your blog so much. I am a first grade teacher and I would love to win a mug and be able to drink coffee out of it in my classroom. Please pick me 😊
Dear Susan,
I have been so worried about you……… I thought the silence seemed long and loud!! 🙏🏼 I am relieved it isn’t worse and so very sorry it wasn’t just August and all it’s glory on the Island.
I am your biggest fan (sorry, everyone else!!! 😉😽😽😽) and I live in Southampton…… NY~ just down the water a little way!!! This is the first time I’ve written because I have so much to say to you. You and your calendars have been a huge part of my life, and now your books and, thank you so much, your blog which I read like a golden novel of happiness. Every Christmas I look forward to the quiet day after when I turn the pages of my calendar, sooooo slowly, savoring and anticipating each month and what I will muse over with you during that time, and putting in ALL the birthdays. I just love the seasons, but you and I have about a million and one things that we both love~ like Mark Twain and travel and walking and quotes and Emma Bridgewater hearts (my husband and I each got an Emma cup and saucer when we flew out of Venice to sunny London for the last few days of our honeymoon; stars and hearts and I’ve been collecting since. Brambly hedge too, but I’m not sure if you’ve discovered brambly yet!!! Or wee forest folk??! 🤪) and New England and fabrics and needlepoint.
Someday I want you and Joe to visit the Hamptons, but I am hoping to bump into you in the bookstore in Edgartown first, and I’ll say, “oh, hi Sue!! Thank you for all the wonderful you put in my life!!”
Thank you for sharing you, from me and my 3 little girls (who also admire you immensely),
Aimee
😍🤗😘
I love your Blogs!!! And your cat Jack!!! He’s a cutie!!! Also love your mugs!!
What a beautiful!!! I like all!!!
How frustrating to be stopped mid-summer with this sort of injury! For the first time I am looking forward to autumn! As I get older the heat and humidity of summer have taken some of the delight out of it. Autumn has sunshine and color too! Hope you enjoy and relish the days of autumn as your hand recovers and you catch up on things!
May all of the warmth you put into the world, dear Susan, return to you tenfold and heal that nasty break. I have a trip (my very first!) booked to Martha’s Vineyard immediately following our Canadian Thanksgiving. A solid week of unwinding and discovering. I am vibrating with excitement already 🙂
Feel better soon. Love that Joe designed the heart cup, so appropriate!! You are the best, your writing brings me comfort, joy, and peace! Thank you.
Susan, another thing I wanted to tell all of the Branchies! Inspired by the Downton Abbey upcoming movie – I invited a few girlfriends to come over for a tea party at my house prior to the movie then we will all drive over together to watch. After all, drinking soda from paper cups and eating popcorn is just not Downtown Abbey-ish! Carson would just not approve. One must have a proper tea with china, sterling flatware, scones, tea sandwiches, mustn’t one? My girlfriends are so excited I thought of it and invited them! Maybe this will inspire others to do the same 🙂
FUN!💖
Hello,
I’m French and I do not always understand English very well but I love your blog and your posts that I take the time to translate laboriously.
Thank you for these beautiful photos, your beautiful messages.
Too bad your books are not translated in France
Nice day from the South of France
Merci Pascale! ❌⭕️
love always!!
Thank you for the blog. Happy Fall!
Sending healing thoughts your way – for reasons unknown, you were meant to have a rest!In these times, we need courage just to get out of bed in the morning, let alone watch the news!
Just want to say “Thank You” for encouraging words in all your blogs.
Your posts always make me smile.
So happy to hear you are on the mend.
Your blog is always an encouragement to live happy! Thank you!
Sorry about your fall, Hope you heal fast…..The pictures of Jack are sweet and cozy!
I would be so honored to have your precious cups. It is my birthday on the 7th and maybe it will bring me luck! I have enjoyed your blog!
I love our four seasons and you too! 💕
Susan,
Glad to hear that you are on the mend! I have missed your blogs and am so happy to have you back! Would love to win your set of mugs! I have been collecting them and have fun each morning picking one out to use for my coffee! I did not get the “Summer” mug, and as it is adorable, would LOVE to add it to my collection! Take care of that right hand and give yourself time – as an old ortho nurse my advice is not to rush it! You’ll be good as new soon! Love and Best Wishes 😉
Hi Susan,
What a treat to hear from you and to learn that you are well in spite of your broken wrist. I hope that it heals and mends quickly. Love the night lights . . . they are just darling! Very grateful to have my name added to the drawing. Thank you!
Franny R
Lovely. I love reading your thoughts and writings. Thank you.
Even dealing with a broken wrist, you put time and effort into brightening our day with one of your posts – thank you! Hope you heal soon!
I would LOVE to win that pumpkin cup!
So sorry to hear about your wrist. I’m sending ‘Good Vibrations’ your way from South Dakota!
Oh, Susan, I’m so sorry you got hurt! I hope you get better soon. I hope you are using the time to nurture your soul. Read your Bible along with some of the other good books you’re enjoying. May God bless you.
Oh… so sorry to hear about your wrist! Glad to see you back on the blog and love all the new designs!
Hi Susan,
Here’s hoping your hand will heal and all will be well again. I developed frozen shoulder and suffered for 11 months and 5 days till I could finally get back to work full time and feel semi normal. I discovered many many th8ngs I didn’t know would be difficult to do with a lame arm, I know you know what I mean. Your posts and inspiration are like a guid8ng light for me and for that I am grateful to have found you. Take care of yourself and good luck with physiotherapy. Cheers Frances
As I near my 70th birthday, I am continually reminded to make every moment count for joy, happiness, peace, and love. Thank you for being an example of what that life looks like.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thank you for being you!!
Speedy recovery and happy healing! Just think of all that you’ve learned about yourself and the people around you in the past month!